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Updated: June 9, 2025
He at least gave no heed to nearer blandishments, and terror and loathing filled her in equal measure. A faintness a sudden weakness born of her recent journey served for excuse, which Calavius seemed not unwilling to voice, and, surrounded by a guard of slaves, her litter bore her back to his house, through streets littered with drunken men and fluctuant with the figured robes of courtesans.
She was not certain whether it was with a desire to gain in his sight, or only in the pursuance of her plans, that she spoke again. "Does my lord think worse of me for what I have said?" "I thought you a woman; now I know you for one," he replied, carelessly. "Ah! but my lord did not ask as to my other reasons for seeking the camp of Carthage." "That is a matter for Calavius to look to.
Subdued applause from both tables followed these words, but the face of Perolla lost but little of its stubborn hostility. Hannibal turned away, and Calavius and Ninius sought to cover by eager talking the young man's ungracious reception of such signal favour.
I have heard often that much liberty is allowed to the women of Capua; why not, then, to the guest of the noblest of the Capuans?" The mind of Calavius had been divided. With the first rebuff to his rising passion had come the impulse to avail himself of his power and of the helpless position of his guest to gratify his spite or his pleasure as she might choose to make it.
The eyes lost nothing of their cold scrutiny at the implied compliment or the covert reproach. "And what reasons?" he asked sharply. "For the one," replied Marcia, and she was conscious of an effort in holding her voice to its steady inflection; "that my house is bound in hospitality to that of Pacuvius Calavius " Mago's brow cleared for an instant. "Our friend," he said.
"Here I can read without disturbance, and here we can talk without fear of interruption or listening ears. There are slaves always stationed at both ends of the portico, to insure quiet." "And you are the man who has dared to turn Capua over to the enemies of Rome! Truly, I cannot understand." Marcia could not restrain the words, and Calavius flushed.
It was easy to see how the general chafed at the unwonted delay, and with what willingness he listened when another spoke the words which he himself dared not utter. Calavius had but just finished his tirade when they both turned at a slight noise and saw Iddilcar standing in the entrance of the room.
She was robed, indeed, for a Capuan banquet, and in a manner her simple Roman taste had never dreamed of. As yet Calavius had not returned. She sat in the portico of the garden, awaiting him, and time was now afforded her to think of her plans, the risk she ran, and the objects to be gained.
Tears filled her eyes, and, shivering in every muscle, she sank down upon the seat and buried her face in her hands. Two moons had waxed and waned; Pacuvius Calavius had dined in his winter triclinium for the first time this year, and Marcia was rejoicing at the omen. She watched her host, as he lay back upon his couch, and noted with pity the change that had come over him.
From these four the Roman's eyes wandered to a fifth Carthaginian, who seemed to complete the tale of guests of that nationality. Her informant had passed him by in silence, and had gone on to point out Jubellius Taurea, Pacuvius Calavius, and his son, Perolla the only Campanians present besides the hosts of the occasion.
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